The Anthony Wayne Generals dominated in all facets, using their ground-and-pound attack to run away from Whitmer 27-3 in a key Northern Lakes League Buckeye Division showdown on Friday night.
Anthony Wayne (6-0) jumped out to a 14-0 lead and the Generals' defense suffocated the Panthers throughout a windy night on the wet, natural grass turf in Whitehouse.
Whitmer (4-2) came into the game ranked No. 11 in the latest Division I poll, while Anthony Wayne was ranked No. 13 in Division II.
Anthony Wayne senior quarterback Grant Kinnee broke off an 88-yard run for a TD to put the Generals up 20-3 with 7:46 left in the third quarter. Anthony Wayne then recovered a squib kick and went up 27-3 on a 17-yard QB pitch from Kinnee to Braden Gardner late in the third quarter.
Kinnee and Gardner each scored first-half touchdowns as the Generals dominated in the trenches. Anthony Wayne amassed 364 total yards, including 310 rushing.
“I'm not sure who played better, our offense or our defense,” AW coach Andy Brungard said. “I don't even know who to give the credit to because our message all week was to play together. In different moments different guys stepped up in big ways.”
Whitmer senior quarterback Brady Ford found some rhythm late in the first half with 50 passing yards as the Panthers got a 32-yard field goal from Rayan Farhan as time expired in the first half. But the AW defense had an interception, forced five punts, and a turnover on downs.
The Generals held the Panthers to 135 yards (129 passing and 6 rushing).
Kinnee accounted for 253 yards of offense, finishing with a game-high 199 rushing yards on 21 carries (9.5 per tote) and scored two touchdowns. Kinnee also completed 6 of 10 passes for 54 yards and one TD.
“I'm beyond proud of them,” Kinnee said of his offensive line. “I care so much about these guys. Owen Graf was thrown into a very tough situation. He came in this week and started playing center and did a phenomenal job. The whole line, the whole defense, everyone did a phenomenal job. None of that was possible without all of them.”
With winds out of the east at 22 miles per hour, gusting up to 38, the AW offensive line was methodical. Gardner had 61 rushing yards and Crue Carroll chipped in with 50. Gardner also had a team-high 31 receiving yards.
Ford, an Eastern Illinois University commit who came into the game leading the NLL in passing yards (812), completed 15 of 28 passes for 129 yards. Ford was sacked three times and was constantly hounded.
“They took it to us a little bit,” Whitmer coach Ken Winters said. “We were off offensively. We couldn't get our run game going, and couldn't get our pass game going. We've got to look ourselves in the mirror and fix the problems and get ready for next week.”
Anthony Wayne offensive linemen Brayden Cole, Max Grabarczyk, Graf, Daniel Wing, Aiden Lohmeyer, and tight end Brode Sweet dominated in the trenches. Graf, who usually plays on the defensive line and took over at center for Owen Palmer (concussion), credited his fellow linemen.
“They all helped prepare me. We all came together. We had a Bible study today and I think it's a big part of it,” Graf said. “We embraced everything. I don't think we're shown as much respect as we should be. But we love the game, we love each other, and it's definitely showing.”
Kinnee broke through a hole untouched and used his good wheels to break free down the near sideline to stick what proved to be a dagger as AW went up 17 with 7:46 left in the third quarter.
“There were perfect holes for me and all I've got to do is run as fast as I possibly can,” the 6-foot-4 and 195-pound QB said.
Last season, Whitmer, Findlay, and Anthony Wayne finished in a three-way tie for the title with 4-1 records. This year the Panthers were picked to repeat and the Generals were picked to finish fourth.
“These kids don't want the credit,” Brungard said. “It's a testament to the team that we are. I don't know if it's a statement win but we should believe now that we can beat anybody in our conference. We have to be at this championship level every week.”
Whitmer plays at unbeaten Perrysburg next Friday. Winters refused to blame the windy conditions for the lack of a passing game.
“[Anthony Wayne] was in the same position last year,” Winters said. “We beat them pretty good, and they regrouped and shared the title. So it's far from over.”
AW hosts Findlay next week.
“We feel phenomenal but at the end of the day, it's just another game and every single game at this point is for the title,” Kinnee said.
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